Take school seriously. Be open to new friends, but choose wisely. Don't let social drama, cliques and anxieties get to you. And don't expect high school to be the best time of your life. It's only the beginning.

Those themes line up with the advice Eric Toshalis, an expert on adolescent development at Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling, gives parents of teens.

Take school seriously

"Grades really matter for ninth- and 10th-graders, and they often don't figure that out until late," Toshalis says.

"If you attack education with a goal in mind, you can have access to millions of dollars. You can set your family up for life by making a lot of money and living frugally, you can be rewarded greatly."

Teens may need parental guidance to help them manage their time and build good study habits. The first step: limit distractions, Toshalis says, and be rigid about turning off devices.

"Give kids the experience of what their brains can do, the amazing things their brains can do, when they're given quiet time and place to focus on just one thing." Toshalis says. "That's where symphonies get written, equations solved ... science experiments created ... epiphanies happen."

Be open to new friends, but choose wisely

Friendships are hugely important to teens. They want "connection, trust, meaningful dialogue, quality time with others," Toshalis says. That may not come easily, and teens will look to adults to help them make sense of friendships.

"Pick good friends! I'm still friends with many of the kids I met in junior high school."

Certain moments in high school still make us cringe. The glares that made us wilt. The scary feeling of not knowing anyone in the room. Wondering if the people whispering were whispering something about us.

"I remember lots of anxiety about starting fresh in a new social scene. I wish I knew that were probably all nervous about fitting in and finding new friends."

"To understand that the sideways glances and whispering from the 'popular girls' was their insecurity issue, not mine. I wish I'd have paid more attention to academics and far less on social."

High school is the beginning, not the finale

Sure, high school can be a blast. But it can also be tough, readers said. When that happens, know that things will get better.

"I wish I had understood that many popular kids reach their zenith in high school and go downhill from there. The nerdy, poorly dressed, and low income kids can turn out hugely successful and happy. At my reunion ... the wallflowers were some of the nicest people and the jocks were stuck in a time warp still remembering their 'glory days.' Life begins after school ends! Meanwhile, take advantage of this time to learn all you can."

"It shouldn't be the best time of your life...there are just going to be awkward times. Save room to get better and have even more fun in college/grown up life."

And that's what we wish we knew when we started high school. Take your schoolwork seriously. Be open to new friends and have fun, but expect a few social rollercoaster rides. And remember, the best is yet to come.